Apparatus for preparing flatwork for ironing



Nov. 5, 1940. c. E. HAMILTON, SR 2,220,102

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FLATWORK FOR IRONING Filed Nov. 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR (mama's tow/u HAM/um; 57?.

ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1940. c. E. HAMILTON, SR

APPARATUS FOR YREPARING FLATWORK FOR IRONING Filed Nov. 25 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

R 5 mu ,vw m. 0 f m m 6 ATTQRN EY Patented Nov. 5, 1940 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR. PREPARING FLATWORK FOR IRONING Charles Edwin Hamilton, Sn, Hollywood, Calif. Application November 23, 1937, Serial No. 176,003

, 2 Claims.

The invention relates to laundry apparatus, and more especially for use in connection with fiatwork such as sheets, towels, table cloths, napkins and the like, before entering the ironer. When introducing the same into the usual type of flatwork ironer in which these goods are to be ironed, the entrance edges of the work frequently are found to be turned back or wrinkled as a result of not having been previously properly shaken out. This, of course, appears as a defect when the work is delivered from the ironer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for expeditiously removing such defects by properly mechanically preparing the work for the ironer, the same after having been presented to the novel apparatus being fully smoothed or brushed out at the edge and in suitablecondition for introduction to the said ironer therefor.

This is accomplished by presenting the work,

as over a suitable swingable support, to a brushing action, for example, by directing it into the space between two coacting and oppositely rotating brushes formed as extended rolls which receive and contact the turned back or wrinkled edge. The same is whipped by both of the rolls respectively over the upper and under surfaces and smoothed out thereby into a condition suitable for introduction to the ironer apparatus.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the novel apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, with portions in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is 'a transverse fragmentary section, taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2 of the drawings, of the goods support member; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan thereof.

Referring to the drawings, l0 designates a suitable bench or support for a frame H carrying the whipping apparatus. Along the front of the frame is mounted a feed box or supporting tray l2 upon which the work to be prepared may be held and prevented from dropping to the floor. Immediately behind and above this support is swingably mounted a feeding table 53 which is carried by arms M pivoted to the frame at l5. This table comprises an arcuate strip secured to the upper end of the arms l4 and along its inner edge has secured thereto a series of resilient wire fingers [6 which extend outwardly therefrom to continue the curvature of the strip. These fin.- gers may comprise wires bent back upon themselves, as shown in Fig. 3, and soldered or welded to the underside of the table strip behind the turned-down portion 11 as in fitting holes I8 and [9, respectively, thereof.

The fingers l6 are designed to be presented to brushing means such as a pair of cooperating and rotatable brush elements 20 and 2|, respectively, rotating in opposite directions and each comprising a plurality of cylindrical brushes which may be removably mounted on corresponding shafts 22 and 23, and driven from the pulley 24 through gearing 25. The arrangement is such, preferably, that the fingers will extend slightly beyond the line of contact of the brushes (as indicated in the dotted line position, Fig. 1) and between adjacent pairs.

In operation, the work is rested upon the support l2 and the turned back or wrinkled portion laid on the feed table i3 with the edge carried by the fingers l6 thereof. The table as a-whole is then pushed forward slightly toward the rotating brush elements 20 and 2! until the fingers bearing the work are inserted between the two said brush elements.

The rotating brushes will thus whip or brush out any irregularity such as a turn-back or wrinkled portion in the edge in passing respectively over both the under and upper surfaces of the goods. A single brush may, of course, be utilized although the pair of cooperating brushes is generally more effective.

Thereupon the pressure upon the feeding table is relieved and the table with goods returned under the action, for example, of springs 30 attached to the support, it being understood that the goods are not fed through the apparatus but only the imperfect portions subjected to the brushing operation. An adjustable stop 3i may be provided to regulate and limit the inward movement of the table and locate the ends of the fingers with respect to the rotating brushes.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the nature set forth, comprising a frame, a pair of peripherally contacting cylindrical brush members rotatably supported thereon about vertically spaced horizontal axes, means to rotate the brush members, and a feed table pivotally connected to the frame and having extending resilient fingers adapted to fit between the brush members thereby supporting the edge of the flatwork introduced between said brush members by movement of said table toward the brush members.

2. Apparatus of the nature set forth, comprising a frame, a pair of peripherally contacting cylindrical brushmembers rotatablysupportedthereon about vertically spaced horizontal axes, means to rotate the brush members, a feed table pivotally connected to the frame and having extending resilient fingers adapted to fit between the brush members thereby supporting the edge of the flatwork introduced between said brush members by movement of said table toward the brush members, and means to limit the extent of travel of said table toward the brush members.

CHARLES EDWIN HAMILTON, SR. 

